Providence’s new clinic offers one-of-a-kind care for survivors of abuse and assault

The Providence S.A.F.E. Center is a new clinic in Portland, Oregon, offering care to victims of sexual assault and other trauma. The depth of services offered in the Providence S.A.F.E. Center makes it not just remarkable, but unique for Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

The S.A.F.E. team – which stands for Service, Accessibility, Fortitude, and Empowerment – previously only responded to hospital emergency departments to provide specialty care for victims of sexual, physical and psychological violence, including strangulation, neglect and human trafficking.

Now, they can do that in a setting designed specifically for survivors. Plus, patients can get follow-up care covering so many of their medical needs.

A welcoming environment

Previously, a survivor’s only immediate access to care was in a hospital emergency room. Now patients have a space designed to be less traumatic and more welcoming to someone who is likely experiencing the worst moment of their life.

The clinic provides a secure entry point for patients, who may be referred by an emergency department, law enforcement, other clinics, or crisis lines. Every patient receives immediate and mindful attention and once inside, the space has been specifically designed to be a welcoming environment to help reduce stress and anxiety.

Removing barriers

The care patients can receive at the S.A.F.E. center goes well beyond the immediate. Follow-up visits, annual exams, vaccines, STI screenings, Pap smears, and pregnancy screenings are just some of what’s available as part of the center’s continuing and comprehensive care.

The center is also open evenings and weekends, with space for children to be with advocates when needed. It allows the team to reach the most vulnerable in our community, many who may not have believed these services could be available to them.

The space was built with the hope to not only support patients, but also our S.A.F.E care team. Previously, nurses may have only seen a patient once during an initial exam – unless they were later subpoenaed in court. It was heart wrenching for nurses to never really know if patients were getting the care they needed. Now, nurses have the opportunity to continue supporting these survivors, and they can give them all the tools they need to hopefully continue living a healthy life.

More information

In addition to the new clinic, the S.A.F.E. program also offers 24-7 medical-forensic consultations to all of our Oregon hospitals. Learn more at: S.A.F.E. Center | Providence